Claims:1. A shroud assembly for circuit breaker comprising:
a plurality of vents namely a Top Vent (2), a bottom vent; wherein the Top Vent (2) and the bottom vent being adapted for passing of hot-ionized gases from the circuit breaker;
an Ip40 flapper (1), wherein the Ip40 flapper (1) adapted for hinging on the shroud such that the IP40 protection to the circuit breaker from front side;
a perforated surface adapted for ventilation such that the perforated surface keeping the circuit breaker’s temperature at a predetermined value;
a plurality of slots adapted for mounting a plurality of phase barriers; and
a bellow cable cover operatively connected to the shroud assembly and covers the bare conductors, exposed outside the breaker assembly, for preventing flashover at the termination region.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein bellow cable cover comprises:
a plurality of Threads (6) adapted for assembling the Threads (6) on the shroud;
a plurality of humps adapted for flexibility of the cover;
a tapered end adapted for catering a plurality of cables having different sizes.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the bellow cable cover is made up of rubber or insulating material.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to all low voltage switching devices with direct cable terminations, box clamp terminations and tunnel type terminations, and more particularly compact terminal shroud assembly.

BACKGROUND

[002] A typical circuit breaker can be connected to the electrical circuit by various means. The way in which the conductors are connected is called as termination type. Termination of switching devices is made as per the environment chosen for it, i.e. direct type, standard type, box type or plug-in type, rear stud type. In box type and direct termination, cables are directly connected in breaker.

[003] In Box type termination, box clamps or tunnels are assembled in the circuit breakers. While connecting circuit breaker in the circuit, insulation of the cables needs to be removed then the bare conductor of the cable is inserted in the breaker and tightened to make proper electrical joint. But while removing electrical insulation of the cables, cutting to the required length doesn’t happen properly; and variation in the length generally remains and cables get assembled in breaker as is. After termination, in most cases phase barriers are put to provide insulation between two adjacent poles, while in other cases phase barriers are not put, as they require more space in panel; so in these cases chances of flash over is high. It may worsen the case, if phase barrier are not put and at the same time more length of insulation is cut on the cable, so some bare part is also exposed outside of the breaker.

[004] In direct cable termination, lugs are assembled at the terminating ends of the cables, so termination happens through the cable lugs. Cable lugs are then placed in circuit breaker terminal region and fastened to make proper electrical and mechanical joints. In direct termination also, when cable ends are assembled with lugs, first cable insulation needs to be removed then bare portion of cable gets assembled in lug then that overlapped part get crimped. Same as what happens while removing insulation of the cables, removing insulation to proper length doesn’t happen generally and some portion of bare conductor remains exposed outside of the breaker. After termination, in most cases phase barriers are put to provide insulation between two adjacent poles, while in other cases phase barriers are not put, as they require more space in panel; so in these cases chances of flash over is high. It may worsen the case, if phase barrier are not put and at the same time more length of insulation is cut on the cable, so some bare part is also exposed outside of the breaker.

[005] In general practices, panel builders don’t use the phase barriers in the case of plug-in module/rear studs, because as mentioned above it requires more space and so the cost of the panel. In this case, the clearance and creepage between adjacent poles becomes very less, so the chances of shorting at breaker terminal is high by things like some insects, contamination on the breaker surface, spread of foreign particles of terminal surfaces etc.

[006] In many cases, after doing box type termination or direct cable termination, all cables are directed towards one side of the breaker; in this case cables are exposed to the vents of other side of the poles, so are exposed to the hot ionized gases of other poles. So the changes of flashover increases.

[007] US7227740 entitled “Bus shroud” discloses a non-conductive bus shroud for a dual circuit breaker system that has a plurality of vertical walls extending generally perpendicular from the top side and including at least one bus member support vertical wall. The dual circuit breaker system includes a housing assembly having a back wall, a first circuit breaker having at least one protruding line terminal, a second circuit breaker having at least one protruding line terminal and at least one bus member extending between the at least one first circuit breaker line terminal and the at least one second circuit breaker line terminal. The bus shroud has a planar member with a top side, a bottom side, a front edge, a back edge, at least one first circuit breaker terminal opening, and a second circuit breaker terminal opening. When the shroud is installed over the circuit breakers, the vertical walls protect and support the bus member. The US7227740 document discloses that the invention requires more space on the panel. Also it is not suitable for termination where cables are bunched and directed towards either side of the breaker.

[008] The problems in the existing art are that when circuit breakers are mounted on the panel with box-clamp termination or direct termination, some portion of the bare conductor remains outside of the breaker. In this scenario, if phase barriers are not placed then it may increase the chances of flashover at the termination region. In existing practice, to avoid flashovers, generally phase barriers are placed but they require more space on the panel, in turn it increases the cost.
[009] Thus, there is a need to develop a compact terminal shroud assembly for circuit breaker to overcome the problems in the existing technology. It houses the breaker terminal with and provides IP40 at the termination region so the danger of hazards can be prevented.

SUMMARY
[0010] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to, compact terminal shroud assembly for circuit breaker, and the same are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0011] The objective of the present invention is to solve the technical problems or all drawbacks mentioned above, in current practices for the circuit breaker with the box clamp and direct termination with cable.

[0012] One of the objectives of the present invention is to eliminate the use of phase barriers.

[0013] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide the proper venting at the terminal, so as to maintain temperature at certain intended value.

[0014] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide the access of phase barrier mounting, if customer wants to use the phase barriers in addition.

[0015] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide flexibility of bunching terminated cables and pulling towards either side of the breaker, with reliability.
[0016] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide different sizes of cables can be terminated with IP 40 protection.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a shroud assembly for circuit breaker comprising: a plurality of vents namely a Top Vent, a bottom vent; wherein the Top Vent and the bottom vent being adapted for passing of hot-ionized gases from the circuit breaker; an Ip40 flapper , wherein the Ip40 flapper adapted for hinging on the shroud such that the IP40 protection to the circuit breaker from front side; a perforated surface adapted for ventilation such that the perforated surface keeping the circuit breaker’s temperature at a predetermined value; a plurality of slots adapted for mounting a plurality of phase barriers; and a bellow cable cover operatively connected to the shroud assembly and covers the bare conductors, exposed outside the breaker assembly, for preventing flashover at the termination region.

[0018] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] Figure 1 illustrates Shroud assembly- the Shroud and Ip40 flapper (1)

[0021] Figure 2 illustrates Shroud assembly- the Shroud and Ip40 flapper (1) in a different view

[0022] Figure 3 illustrates Rubber bellow cable cover

[0023] Figure 4 illustrates Standalone terminal shroud with bellow cover

[0024] Figure 5 illustrates Standalone terminal shroud for 3P with bellow cable covers

[0025] Figure 6 illustratesTerminal shroud over while assembling on three pole MCCB

[0026] Figure 7 illustrates Terminal shroud over after assembling on three pole MCCB

[0027] Figure 8 illustrates 3P MCCB assembled with Terminal shroud and terminated with cables

[0028] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0029] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.

[0030] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0031] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0032] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0033] By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0034] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

[0035] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0036] Referring to the Fig 1, shroud module has been shown which includes the flapper and shroud.

[0037] Fig 2 also shows the same in a different view. Top vents (2) and Bottom vents (3) are for the exits of hot-ionized gases from circuit breaker. Shroud module gets assembled at the both side of the breaker i.e.at terminals. As shown Ip40 flapper (1), which hinges on the shroud provides the IP40 protection to the breaker from front side. The shroud assembly comprises perforated surface (4) for ventilation which keeps the temperature of the breaker terminal maintained at some intended values. Top vents (2) and Bottom vents (3) provide path for the ionized gases coming out of the breaker and also lengthen their path with insulation provided between adjacent poles. Also the slots are provided for mounting the phase barriers.

[0038] Referring to Fig 3, it shows the bellow cable cover made of rubber or insulating material. Threads (6) have been given on the component for assembling it on terminal shroud after passing cable through it. Humps (7) have been provided for turning flexibility of the cover when assembled on cable. Tapered feature (8) at the end of the cover is for catering different sizes of cable cross section.

[0039] Referring to fig 4, standalone terminal shroud is shown with one bellow cable cover assembled on it.

[0040] In Fig 5, same shroud has been shown with three bellow cable covers assembled on it.

[0041] Referring to fig 6, it shows the assembly direction of the shroud on the breaker. During assembly, fist shroud fits of the breaker then bare part of cables are terminated at the breaker terminals, here cables have to pass through shroud.

[0042] In figure 7, terminal shroud has been assembled on the breaker. Now before terminating cables at the breaker, tapered portion on bellow cover needs to be cut at the appropriate size for passing cable of that size. After passing cables, they can be terminated and fastened at the breaker terminal. Once termination is done, bellow cover can be assembled with the terminal shroud by Threads (6) given at the end of it.

[0043] Fig.8 shows the shroud module assembled on the breaker with the cable termination (9). Here also it provides the IP40 protection to the breaker from all the sides and other benefits mentioned above for the breaker with direct or with box clamp termination.

[0044] ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
? Easy and safe assembly on circuit breaker
? less space occupancy
? Effective channelization of hot-ionized gases
? Increased clearances and creepage
? Mounting access of phase barriers

[0045] The invention has been described in a preferred form only and many variations may be made in the invention which will still be comprised within its spirit. The invention is not limited to the details cited above. Compact terminal shroud assembly for circuit breaker as described above does not limit the scope of the present invention. The structure thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all the details may furthermore be replaced with elements having technical equivalence. In practice the materials and dimensions may be any according to the requirements, which will still be comprised within its true spirit.

[0046] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

[0047] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.